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West Indies vs Pakistan, 2nd Match, Group A at Johannesburg, , Sep 23 2009 - Ball by Ball Commentary

RESULT
2nd Match, Group A (D/N), Johannesburg, September 23, 2009, ICC Champions Trophy
(30.3/50 ov, T:134) 134/5

Pakistan won by 5 wickets (with 117 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
41* (51)
umar-akmal
New
PAK
Full commentary

Pakistan have had to endure a few anxious moments today before completing their win. They will be thrilled with the manner in which their fast-bowling department performed today (making you wonder whether Mohammad Asif will get a place in the XI). Equally heartening will be the young Umar Akmal's display. He showed an ability to adapt his game according to the situation, leaving plenty of deliveries during Gavin Tonge's fantastic spell. Winning with nearly 20 overs to spare will also boost their net run-rate, something which could be a factor in deciding which team progresses from Group A.

For West Indies, Nikita Miller's batting effort and Gavin Tonge's superb bowling bodes well, and the manner in which the entire team fought despite the batting failure are pluses.

Post-match presentation:

Floyd Reifer says he doesn't regret the decision to bat first. "I would like to congratulate Miller, Tonge bowled well, and our bowling and fielding as a unit was very good.

"Somebody in the top four has to score a hundred, if we are to compete."

Shahid Afridi "I think the guys bowled very well, they showed great maturity ... I just told Umar just play positive, don't bother about the wicket. I love bravehearts, and that's why I like him." He says the opening batting and the fielding are areas where Pakistan need to improve.

Umar Akmal is the Man of the Match." I didn't feel any pressure, I just maintained a positive attitude, as the seniors in the team advised."

That's it from us at Cricinfo. Thanks for tuning in, I'll be back for tomorrow's game between South Africa and New Zealand. Till then, it's bye from me, Siddarth Ravindran

30.4
1w
Best to Afridi, 1 wide

Best's poor day ends with another wide down the leg side which gives Pakistan victory

30.3
Best to Afridi, no run

a superb yorker from Best, Afridi manages to dig it out towards the bowler

30.2
Best to Afridi, no run

Afridi punches the ball towards cover, thinks of a single but then decides against it

30.2
1w
Best to Afridi, 1 wide

Best has struggled with his line and length all day, and he sends down yet another wide down the leg side to level the teams' scores

30.1
4
Best to Afridi, FOUR runs

Afridi shows he has touch as well, opening the face and dabbing delivery from outside off to the third man boundary

end of over 304 runs
PAK: 128/5CRR: 4.26 RRR: 0.30
Umar Akmal41 (51b 6x4)
Shahid Afridi13 (22b)
Daren Sammy 7-0-29-0
Tino Best 6-0-44-0
29.6
Sammy to Umar Akmal, no run

chases a wide delivery outside off but doesn't make contact

One stroke away from victory now Pakistan

29.5
2
Sammy to Umar Akmal, 2 runs

'Two, two, two' says Umar as he punches the ball towards long-on, Afridi is back in a flash for the second

29.4
1
Sammy to Afridi, 1 run

it was a pretty full ball, but Afridi flatbats it towards midwicket

29.3
Sammy to Afridi, no run

Afridi leaves an outside-off delivery through to the keeper

29.2
Sammy to Afridi, no run

Afridi is beaten as he gets on the front foot and looks to power a short-of-length delivery through the off side

29.1
1
Sammy to Umar Akmal, 1 run

Sammy pegs away at a back of a length, pushed towards cover for a single

end of over 2915 runs
PAK: 124/5CRR: 4.27 RRR: 0.47
Shahid Afridi12 (19b)
Umar Akmal38 (48b 6x4)
Tino Best 6-0-44-0
Daren Sammy 6-0-25-0
28.6
Best to Afridi, no run

this one is speared into Afridi, who gets on the back foot and defends the ball back down the pitch

28.5
1
Best to Umar Akmal, 1 run

it's a back of a length, outside off, steered down to third man for a single

Best wipes the ball meticulously with a towel before sending down the next ball

28.5
1nb
Best to Umar Akmal, (no ball)

Umar Akmal is in serious pain here after being hit by a beamer, he ducked but in trying to defend he tried to get his bat in the way and is hit flush on the finger, he is jumping around in pain, takes off his glove to take a look at his fingers, luckily he seems to be alright, he's even managed to flash a smile when Afridi asks how he's doing

28.4
2
Best to Umar Akmal, 2 runs

driven firmly off the front foot towards long-off for an easy couple

28.3
4
Best to Umar Akmal, FOUR runs

Umar Akmal again shows he can do aggression very well, clobbers a leg stump ball to the long-on boundary

28.3
1w
Best to Umar Akmal, 1 wide

this is awful stuff from Best, another wide down the leg side

28.2
4
Best to Umar Akmal, FOUR runs

too full and on the pads, Umar Akmal whips that behind square leg for a boundary

28.1
1
Best to Afridi, 1 run

Afridi, as he has tried all innings, turns an offstump ball towards midwicket

28.1
1w
Best to Afridi, 1 wide

Tino Best starts his new spell with a wide down the leg side

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Pakistan Innings
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ICC Champions Trophy

Group A
TEAMMWLPTNRR
AUS32050.510
PAK32140.999
IND31130.290
WI3030-1.537
Group B
TEAMMWLPTNRR
NZ32140.782
ENG3214-0.487
SL3122-0.085
SA3122-0.177